1 Corinthians 9:6
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
1 Corinthians 9:6 in other translations
| BSB | Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living? |
|---|---|
| WEB | Or have only Barnabas and I no right to not work? |
| ASV | Or I only and Barnabas, have we not a right to forbear working? |
| YLT | or only I and Barnabas, have we not authority--not to work? |
| DARBY | Or I alone and Barnabas, have we not a right not to work? |
| BBE | Or I only and Barnabas, have we no right to take a rest from work? |
| Webster | Or I only and Barnabas, have we not power to forbear working? |
What does 1 Corinthians 9:6 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Barnes' Notes
Power to forbear working? To abstain from labour, and to receive support as others do. The question implies a strong affirmation that they had such power. The sense is, "Why should I and Barnabas be regarded as having no right to support? Have we been less faithful than others? Have we done less? Have we given fewer evidences that we are sent by the Lord, or that God approves us in our work? Have we been less successful? Why, then, should we be singled out--and why should it be supposed that we are obliged to labour for our support? Is there no other conceivable reason why we should support ourselves than a consciousness that we have no right to support from the people with whom we labour? It is evident from 1Cor 9:12, that Barnabas as well as Paul relinquished his right to a support, and laboured to maintain himself. And it is manifest from the whole passage, that there was some peculiar "spleen" (Doddridge) against these two ministers of the gospel. What it was we know not. It might have arisen from the enmity and opposition of Judaizing teachers, who were offended at their zeal and success among the Gentiles, and who could find no other cause of complaint against them than that they chose to support themselves, and not live in idleness, or to tax the church for their support. That must have been a bad cause which was sustained by such an argument.
(a) "we power" 2Thes 3:8,9
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:1-14
Chapter Outline The apostle shows his authority, and asserts his right to be maintained. (1-14) He waved this part of his Christian liberty, for the good of others. (15-23) He did all this, with care and diligence, in view of an unfading crown. (24-27) Verses 1-14 It is not new for a minister to meet with unkind returns for good-will to a people, and diligent and successful services among them. To the cavils of…
1 Corinthians 9:6 in the original Greek
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Cross references for 1 Corinthians 9:6
- 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9
For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
- Acts 13:1-2
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
- Acts 18:3
And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
- Acts 4:36
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
- Acts 14:12
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
- Acts 11:22
Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
- Acts 15:36-37
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
- Acts 20:34-35
Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
- 1 Corinthians 4:11-12
Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
- Acts 13:50
But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 1 Corinthians 9:5
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
- 1 Corinthians 9:6
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
- 1 Corinthians 9:7
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
1 Corinthians 9:6 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | ¿O sólo yo y Bernabé no tenemos potestad de no trabajar? |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | N’y a-t-il que moi et Barnabas qui n’ayons pas le droit de ne pas travailler? |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Oder haben allein ich und Barnabas nicht ein Recht, nicht zu arbeiten? |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | aut ego solus, et Barnabas, non habemus potestatem hoc operandi? |